ABSTRACT
A strike over pay on a sugar plantation in the British Caribbean colony of Jamaica in May develops into island-wide demonstrations and protests in which 12 civilians are killed, over 100 injured and over 500 arrested; the protests end when the government offers a £500,000 land settlement to alleviate unemployment. Bustamente Industrial Trade Union is established in Jamaica by the activist Alexander Bustamente (1884-1977) and the socialist People’s National Party is founded by Norman Manley (1893-1969). The British government responds to three years of disorder by appointing a Royal Commission under Lord Moyne to investigate on conditions in the Caribbean colonies and to make recommendations on reform. The Labour Congress of the West Indies and British Guiana demands the formation of a West Indies Federation, universal suffrage, the nationalisation of the sugar industry and public utilities, social security, a minimum wage and trade union immunities.
